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Australia

Robb hopeful free trade deals can be made
13-Nov-2013
The man tasked with finalising three major free trade agreements for Australia within 12 months says he’s hopeful it can be done.
Free trade agreements are a concern for local industry: Poll
12-Nov-2013
Australian industry is concerned about the impact of FTAs which the government is attempting to forge with China, South Korea and Japan.
FTA needs sweetener
10-Nov-2013
Local farmers need better access to sell sugar to American businesses and consumers for Australia to quickly accept a regional free trade agreement, Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb has told his US counterpart.
Korea ready to talk turkey after FTA hurdle removed
2-Nov-2013
The free trade agreement between Australia and South Korea is now "exceedingly close" after a sticking point was removed by the Abbott government, Seoul’s lead negotiator said yesterday.
South Korea-Australia free trade agreement imminent
31-Oct-2013 Smart Company
Australia could finalise a free-trade agreement with South Korea within months, with a Korean government official telling Crikey a deal is expected before the G20 meeting next year.
Huawei a key to Chinese trade talks
24-Oct-2013 Sydney Morning Herald
Chinese telecoms company Huawei is set to become a pawn in the controversial free trade agreement (FTA) review between China and Australia.
Mitsubishi boss keen to seal free-trade deal
21-Oct-2013 The Australian
The chairman of Mitsubishi — a huge investor in Australia’s resource industry — has urged Japan and Australia not to miss the current "window of opportunity" and clinch the long-awaited free-trade agreement.
Divisions grow in govt over farm buyouts
15-Oct-2013 Sky News
Divisions within the Australian government over foreign ownership of farmland appear to be deepening, with Labor accusing the coalition of speaking with two heads about Chinese investment.
Australia: Farmers seek bigger slice of FTAs
11-Oct-2013 The Australian
Australian farmers are demanding that Tony Abbott’s proposed free trade deals with China, Japan and South Korea unlock a greater share of Asian markets that are predicted to expand agricultural imports by more than $90 billion in real terms by 2050.
Australia: All eyes on China FTA
10-Oct-2013 The Land
Ongoing regulatory uncertainty and political friction towards investment in Australian agribusiness by foreign state-owned entities could jeopardise plans to conclude Australia’s stalled free trade agreement (FTA) with China over the next year.
Kevin Rudd ’risks foreign investment’
2-Sep-2013 The Australian
Business has warned that Kevin Rudd’s populist rhetoric on foreign ownership could undermine Australia’s ability to secure free-trade agreements with key Asian trading partners and risks foreign investment that is crucial as the economy slows.
Car handouts ’hindering FTA with China’
26-Aug-2013
The executive chairman of the company behind Australia’s top-selling cheese brand has warned that the Australian government’s support for the car industry is holding up a free-trade agreement with China.
Banks to thrive on China trade deal
20-Jul-2013
The Australian financial services sector could be a major beneficiary if the Labor government is able to finalise the long-awaited free trade agreement with China.
Free-trade push may open door to China
17-Jul-2013
Australia will undertake a major rethink of its investment stance towards China, with the Rudd government now prepared to discuss reducing hurdles to Chinese investment as it strives to conclude a free trade agreement with Beijing.
China welcomes faster FTA talks with Australia
17-Jul-2013
China appreciated Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s positive attitude in advancing talks for a free trade pact, Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, told a news briefing on Wednesday.
Moves to fast-track China trade deal
15-Jul-2013
Kevin Rudd will accelerate efforts to stitch up a fresh trade deal with China ahead of the election and plans to send new Trade Minister Richard Marles to hold top-level talks in Beijing next week.
NZ Taiwan trade deal puts heat on China FTA
11-Jul-2013
The Rudd government is likely to face new pressure from rural exporters to push ahead with a free trade agreement with China after New Zealand signed a breakthrough deal with Taiwan on Wednesday.
Xi, Rudd vow to speed up FTA talks
9-Jul-2013 Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed bilateral relations with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd by phone on Monday, vowing to boost efforts for the conclusion of free trade talks between the two countries.
Australia’s Rudd urges China to act on trade deal
28-Jun-2013 Reuters
Australia’s newly reinstalled Prime Minister Kevin Rudd urged China - the country’s largest trading partner - to conclude the stalled bilateral free trade deal
Australia missing out on China free trade agreement: official
21-Jun-2013 Global Times
In the most recent talks, held in Beijing earlier this month, the Australian government reported "good progress" on sanitary issues and technical barriers to trade, and "constructive discussions" on trade in goods, customs procedures, investment and dispute settlement, but this is not good enough, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Julie Bishop says.